New York City’s Unparalled Celebration

For a once-in-a-lifetime way to start the New Year, there’s only one choice: New Year’s Eve on Times Square in New York City. Join a million revelers from all over the globe at the biggest New Year’s Eve party in the world — it’s shoulder to shoulder mayhem from start to finish, and an experience you’ll never forget.

The annual New Year’s bash officially begins about six hours before midnight, with world-class live entertainment and lots of corporate swag. It culminates at midnight with the traditional ball drop, fireworks, and of course, confetti.

Each year billions of people watch the ball drop on television; about a million brave the cold and attend the celebration in person. To be part of the partying throng, you’ll need to get there early — the closest viewing areas fill up as early as 11 a.m., and once you get a spot you’ve got to stay there! Anyone who leaves their spot loses their spot.

Those who’ve attended in past years warn that you’ll be standing in one place for a long, long time with no way to warm up or take a bathroom break. They advise wearing lots of layered clothing, bringing a sandwich to eat, and not drinking anything after reaching your destination. Others recommend planning a year in advance, making reservations at a restaurant on the square, and watching the celebration from close up while enjoying the beautiful indoors.

The Times Square New Year’s Eve celebration has been a tradition since 1904, and the first countdown ball was dropped in 1907. Starting in 2000, the ball has been made of Waterford crystal — and there’s a huge permanent crystal ball on display year-round above Times Square.

Planning for this epic event begins almost immediately after the previous year’s party is over. In addition to the police officers and sanitation workers on duty, about 500 people are involved in planning each year’s celebration.

To avoid injuring those in attendance, special round confetti is used in Times Square. A small confetti “test run” is done a few days before New Year’s Eve, and in all about a ton of confetti is dropped as the New Year begins.

The Times Square New Year’s Eve event is always high-energy, high excitement and a truly memorable way to bid adieu to the old year and start the new one with joy, hope, and anticipation. It’s a truly memorable way to join in a worldwide celebration with a million of your newest friends.